Improvement in grain-conveyers



H. W. CALDWELL.

Grain-Conveyer.

Patented .Iune 22,1875

Fig' 2- UNITED .l STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY I W. CALDWELL, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA.

IMPRQVEMENT IN GRAIN-CQNVEVERS:

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 164,7 l5, dated J une 32, 1875,' application tiled April 13, 1875. i

To all whom z't 'may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY W. CALDWELL, of Indianapolis, county of Marion, State of In diana, have invented au Improvement in Conveyers, of which the following is a specification:

The object of my invention is to use wroughtirou pipe for the shaft ofthe conveyer, on which.v

is secured in any manner the flights, which are out to aipeculiar pattern, so as to lit the shaft with any desired pitch, and form a continuous screw. I also construct the gates ofthe delivery-openings of the conveyer-box in such a manner that any one of them can be opened and closed by means of cords properly arranged. I also have a peculiar manner of coupling my pipe-shafts together, so that any number of sections can be worked atonce. I have also arrau ged the conveyer in an upright posit-ion, and inclose it in a tight box lined with iron to form an elevator, in connection with a set of followers worked on an endless chain or belt, which propels the grain upward as the screw revolves, and conveys to any de sired height. .l

Figure l represents an end view of the conveyor-box, showing the arrangement of the adjustable bearings, and also an end view of the delivery-gate. Fig. 2 is a view ofthe bottom of the conveyer-box, showing aplan of the delivery-gate. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 represents my improved hollow'shaft conveyer, set perpendicular to form an elevator, and also represents the followers attached to the endless chain or belt. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the pattern ofthe conveyer-flight.

` Fig. 6 is a view of the flight as cut by the pattern in Fig. 5, and stretched out to the given pitch. Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the hollow shaft, and shows the manner of coupling.

In the drawings, A represents the flights, which are cut to a peculiar pattern, as in Fig. 5. To enable others to cut these flights to lit any desired size shaft, at any given pitch, it is necessary to resort to the following geometrical proposition, that the hole cut will when drawn fit the pitch: First, get the circumference of the shaft by multiplying 'the diameter by 3.1416; also, the pitch desired. Then square the circumference, square the pitch, and add` these products together. The square root of e strain comes.

this product will give the helix. Divide this product by 3.1416, and this product gives the diameter to cut the hole that will fit the shaft of the givenV diameter at the given pitch when stretched to fit the shaft, where it can be secured by soldering, or otherwise. rlhe natural tendency of a flight cut to this pattern is to seek the shaft or center at any point of pressnre, thus preventing the possibility of the flights working loose or breaking olf by press ing grain. 1f greater strength is required, especially where the ilights are very wide, a groove or thread can be turned in the shaft, as thread of screw of the desired pitch, and the flights securely fastened therein. At the extreme end of the sections we can rivet the night through the pipe, so as to prevent any tearing loose at the point where the greatest D represents the top bar of the adjustable hanger, and extends across the top of the conveyenbox. At each end of the bar D is a hole, in which the adjusting-screws E E are inserted. At each side ofthe conveyerbox, immediately under the bar D, is mortised the holes G G, in which the lbearingbar H is inserted, with the shaft C shown in the bearing. At each end ot' the bar H the screws E E work in proper nuts, all arranged so as to adjust the shaft G of the conveyer. J represents the `sheet-iron bottom of the couveyerbox, and is curved so as to coliform to the shape 0f the conveyor, and is provided at several places with delivery-holes W', so as to allow grain to be deposited in any bin or elevator` wanted. Under each of these openings W' is fitted a slide, K, which works in guides L L. The slide K also has a hole, lV, that corresponds with the hole W' in the bottom ofthe conveyer-box. The slideKis made long enough to cover the hole W when shut, and to bring the two holes W and W' opposite each other when open. The slide K is worked by means of cords V V', 'working over pulleys 1t It', so that it is not necessary to go to the slides when they are wanted to be opened or closed. The Shaft C is wroughtiron pipe, and each section is coupled together by means of a plug, Y, Fig. 7, which is securely fastened in one end of each section, and the other end of the plug Y forms a bearing for the next section of pipe.I which can revolve ou the plug-bearing, if desiring to allow the balance of the shaft to remain idle; l spout D is elevated to the top. or tapped at or the sections can be coupled together with the key as shown.

The use ofthe hollow shaft'is of great value, it being more perfect, much lighter, stronger, and not subject to the warpl or swag incident to the wooden shaft, and requires less power to drive it than the wooden or other shafts. The capaci ty to carry grain is greatly increased, while the size of the conveyer-box is diminished.

In Fig. 4 I have represented my improved conveyer ina perpendicular position, working in a closed box lined with iron, for the purpose of elevating grain.

The pulleys J J at thetop and bottom Aof the elevator are for the endless chain or belt G to work over. On this chain or belt are securely fastened the followers Hl H', which enter the elevatonbox at the bottom, andas the conveyer-screw revolves these followers are carried up between the flights, and all grain that is admitted to the elevator through the any desired place, as at B B.1 There are' several followers, H' H', securedpto the chain or belt G', so that there are several of them always in the elevator at once.

I do not claim a. conveyer the flights of which are cast or on a hollow hub to tit on a wroughtiron shaft. s

What I do claim as new, and which I wish to secure Letters Patent, is-' i 1. `The conveyer-sorew arranged in anupright positiou'ina tight box, in combination withV the foHowers H' H', operated substanv tially as specied.

2. The lights'A, constructed and applied to the hollow shaft C, substantially as'described. In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specilication in the presence of two subscribng witnesses. l

HENRY W. CALDWELL. Witnesses: y

E. o. mmm, S. C. FBINK. A 

